I used to be heavily involved in all areas of the arts but haven’t been for a few years, so on a whim I entered a submission for the commission of a play. It was actually relieving to take time out from study and work to do something I was interested in. I’ve found it pretty common in my peer groups that when we get to year 11 we drop a lot of activities whether they are Saturday netball or music lessons. Generally anything that isn’t necessary to get us through our senior years of high school but with the promise that once that hurdle is over we will return to what we previously relished. Only work, TAFE or university can get in the way as pursuits that are considered necessary become valued over leisure activities. Some young people, myself included, compromise on taking part in fun maybe because we aren’t the best at time managing and for some reason saw work, whether paid or for study as a good replacement for sleep, so there will be more time to do what we love. Does it really give us the opportunity to fit in that soccer match or finish that painting?
